MEET THE BOARD

Wayne Kayler-Thomson

Chairman

BIOGRAPHY - WAYNE KAYLER-THOMSON , AGIT (Diploma of Commerce) CPA.

Wayne Kayler-Thomson provides professional services as a strategic business planning , governance and leadership advisor,facilitator and mentor to a range of clients in the corporate,not for profit and public sector at national,state,regional and business levels.

With over 30 years leadership experience in the tourism sector , Wayne continues to be actively engaged in facilitating and advising on tourism destination planning and strategic business planning.

Prior to this, Wayne was the Chief Executive of the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Wayne is currently Deputy Chairman and a Director of VicSuper Pty Ltd, a Council member of Victoria University and Chairman of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Ltd .

Wayne’s earlier career included Deputy Chief Executive of Tourism Victoria, Deputy Chairman of the Victorian Toirism Industry Council and extensive public and private sector senior executive roles in tourism, regional economic development, the manufacturing industry and as a tourism business owner/operator and management consultant.
Wayne is a Life Member of the Victorian Tourism Industry Council and the Australian Regional Tourism Network and the recipient of a Victorian Tourism Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.

Councillor Clive Goldsworthy

Board Member

Clive has spent more than 35 years working in the banking and financial sectors including 25 years throughout Asia. He is well disciplined in Corporate Risk and Governance and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. A strong advocate of effective community engagement and collaboration between citizens, corpoartions, Councillors and Council staff, to ensure transparency in all decisions.Clive lives in Lorne and is an active member of several clubs and associations.

What is your area of specialty?
International banking and finance experience.

Who is your all time hero?
My father.

What is your sport of choice?
Golf and bushwalking.

What's the best advice you have ever received?
'Learn from the past, live the moment and plan for the future.'

Why do you identify with tourism?
25 years of International experience and close affiliation with Lorne and the area for over 40 years.

What made you apply for the GORRT Board?
Surf Coast Shire Council appointment to the Board

What is your number 1 highlight whilst in the tourism or specialised industry?
The ability to travel the globe as an International Banker for over 25 years.

Sharon Bradshaw

Board Member

Sharon is a part owner of a craft brewery and café in the Otways. Day to day my role is very hands on and includes operational activities, business development, staff management, tourism development, beer sales & distribution, business administration, marketing and publicity. Prior to moving to Forrest I held senior marketing strategy and comms roles in academic publishing, developing new markets for online publishing products. I am a tree-changer, and a big advocate for regional living. Sharon's areas of speciality are Strategic Marketing, Product Development and Operator Experience.

Who is your all time hero?
Phillip Adams

Sport of choice?
Sorry, not so sporty.

What's the best advice you have ever received?
Look-up

Why do you identify with tourism?
Tourism provides regions with an opportunity to showcase ‘themselves’. The experience that tourism offers can literally change the future and fortunes of a town/region.

What made you apply for the GORRT Board?
I think the region is outstanding, under recognized and underutilized. I have had a mixed career which I thought could provide some constructive input into the development of the GORR. I don’t like to sit on my hands and do nothing.

What is your number 1 highlight whilst in the tourism or specialised industry?
Creating a start-up business, in the middle of now where, with almost nothing but initiative and hard work.

John Maher

Board Member

John has a diverse knowledge of tourism and business from many of his leadership roles:
- Past National General Manager Couriers and Outsourcing with Australia Post
- Past Chairman Shipwreck Coast Tourism Board
- Chairman South West Healthcare Board
- Chairman Deakin University IMMERSe (Integrated Model Medical Education in Rural Settings) Community Advisory Board – placement of 3rd year medical students from Bacchus Marsh to the South Australian border.

What is your area of specialty?
Skilled based board member past business experience specializing in Sales and Marketing, Corporate Governance and new business acquisition and development

Who is your all time hero?
My wife, Dianne.

What is your sport of choice?
Enjoy watching football and cricket other than that gardening.

What's the best advice you have ever received?
'Be positive and run with your heart.'

What made you apply for the GORRT Board?
I believe I offer the skills to assist operators to focus towards the visitor (their customer), and also governance skills.

What is your number 1 highlight whilst in the tourism or specialised industry?
The food and wine extravaganza’s held at Timboon and Warrnambool that really showcased what our region has to offer.

Andrew Mason

Board Member

Andrew became Chief Executive Officer of Corangamite Shire in September 2010 after working as Corangamite Shire’s Director Sustainable Development for two years. Prior to this, Andrew gained extensive experience as a planning consultant and held senior management positions in both the State and local government sectors. Andrew works actively with private and government stakeholders as a member of many external committees. Andrew holds a BA (Planning), MBA.

What is your area of specialty?
Local Government

What is your sport of choice?
AFL

Why do you identify with tourism?
The opportunity to create employment and economic activity in regional Victoria.

What made you apply for the GORRT Board?
I was a member of the interim board and wanted to continue my involvement and see the Board established.

Dean Newell

Board Member

Born and raised in NZ, Dean's first involvement in the Australian hospitality industry was working for a number Gold Coast hotels in the early 1990’s. He then spent a number of years in NZ & the Pacific Islands before moving to Torquay in 2007 to manage the opening of a golf resort. Dean was appointed as Resort Manager for the RACV Torquay Resort in January 2011. He is married with three teenage children and Torquay is now very much his home.

Board Member Specialty?
Hospitality - Hotel & Resort Management

Who is your all time hero?
I don’t really have a particular hero, but there are many people whose achievements I admire.

Sport of choice?
Rugby Union …… it’s a birthright rather than an elective as a New Zealander.

Best advice you have ever received?
'Don’t let perfect get in the way of better.'

Why do you identify with tourism?
I am inspired by the passion that operators have for not only their own businesses but the area in which they operate. I gain great pleasure from being able to share the region that I call home and introduce others to some of its ‘secrets’. The industry is ever changing, there is always something new to discover and tourism roles are all the more interesting for this variety.

What made you apply for the GORRT Board?
As the manager of a major accommodation provider in the region I have a vested interest in the success of regional tourism. I have been involved in other regional tourism bodies and feel that I can draw upon this experience to contribute to the future success of the region.

Number 1 highlight you have had in the tourism industry or your specialized field?
Leading the team in the successful opening and operation of the RACV Torquay Resort.

Fay Valcanis

Board Member

Fay brings over 13 years strategic marketing experience to GORRT Board. Her roles at Museum Victoria, one of Australia’s leading cultural organisations, included Marketing Manager at Melbourne Museum and Marketing Manager Immigration Museum from marketing of blockbuster exhibitions to brand development. Her professional strength in the arts and cultural sector is characterised by strong project management skills and in fostering solid partnerships to leverage marketing strategies. Her experience in environmental education with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment saw the development of fire prevention education strategies for Victoria, including the publication of several education resources for Victorian schools, and the development of community education programs to protect remnant vegetation in the Warrandyte community.

Board Member Speciality?
Marketing and Project Management

Who is your all time hero?
I don’t really identify with one hero, but anyone who can rise from adversity gets my full admiration.

Best advise you have ever received?
I have lots of ‘life mantra’s’. The one that has really shaped me is ‘as a female take charge and control of your life - be responsible for yourself’. I also love the motto ‘live life like it’s your last day’.

Why do you identify with tourism?
I love travelling. Tourism is about people and the journey.

What made you apply for the GORRT Board?
I have a strong ethic of contributing to the community. Being able to shape and play a strategic part of tourism development in the area I live is really important.

Number 1 highlight you have had in the tourism industry or your specialised field?
Developing partnerships for exhibitions at Museum Victoria.

Sam Lucas

Board Member

I am a fourth generation family business operator with experience in public transport and tourism/hospitality. I am a keen advocate for regional development for the benefit of the community, and an avid traveler. I am married with a family of four young children. I am also an unashamed golf tragic.

Best advice you have ever received?
Do anything, but do something! Also – Cover your mouth when you sneeze!

Why do you identify with tourism?
Because successful tourism is about people, first and foremost.

What made you apply for the GORRT Board?
The relatively underdeveloped and underutilized natural tourism assets that this region has, as well as the clear potential benefits for the entire region of seeing coordinated action in this sector.

Number 1 highlight you have had in the tourism industry or your specialized field?
Appointment to the Board of Industry Association (public transport).

Andrew Paton

Board Member

Andrew was recently appointed as Director City Growth with Warrnambool City Council. Previously Andrew worked in a corporate finance role with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in London. Previous posts also included secondments to the United Kingdom's Competition Commission and the Department of Trade and Industry. Andrew grew up in the City of Warrnambool and some twenty years later has returned to live in Warrnambool with his wife and two daughters.

Board Member Specialty?
Economic Development

Sport of choice?
Cricket - more for frustration than pleasure.

Best advice you have ever received?
Your problems are your privileges.

Why do you identify with tourism?
Tourism’s economic significance to the present and future prosperity of the region.

What made you apply for the GORRT Board?
Thinking and acting on a regional basis will generate better outcomes for our region.

Number 1 highlight you have had in the tourism industry or your specialized field?
Facilitating investment outcomes that safeguards and/or creates jobs.